Recommended heartbreak songs for men in their 70s: A collection of poignant, nostalgic classics

Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi

Cotton Handkerchief (with lyrics) - Song by Hiromi Ohta

Let me introduce a heartwarming song that brings back nostalgic memories.

It tells a poignant story of a long-distance romance between a man setting off from the countryside to the big city and a woman who stays in their hometown.

The lyrics alternate between the man’s and the woman’s perspectives—a groundbreaking technique for its time.

Released in 1975, it became a signature song for Hiromi Ohta, who made her first appearance at the 26th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen that same year.

The woman’s longing for an unchanging heart rather than material gifts is especially memorable.

How about humming along with older listeners and sharing stories of youthful days? You’re sure to have a wonderful time.

Cape TourYamamoto Kōtarō to Uīkuei Endo

Cape Tour / Kotaro Yamamoto & The Weekend (with lyrics)

Gently enveloping the ache of heartbreak, this song features Kotaro Yamamoto’s soft vocals that sink deeply into the heart.

Released in June 1974 as his debut single, it became a major hit, reaching No.

5 on the Oricon singles chart.

Loved by many, it was even adopted as the station melody on the Keikyu Kurihama Line.

The scenes woven from the loneliness of traveling alone, the courage to look ahead, and thoughts of a cherished person soothe the soul alongside the calm melody.

It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to rest your heart and linger in warm nostalgia.

A Place in the SunHamada Shogo

A Place in the Sun

A heart-stirring ballad that portrays an illicit love affair.

Included on the album “Before the Generation of Love,” Shogo Hamada’s work gently embraces the aching feelings that slumber deep within the heart.

Since its release in March 1981, it has continued to profoundly move countless listeners.

While depicting a love in the form of an extramarital relationship, it conveys, throughout, the loneliness of hiding from prying eyes and the inner conflict of not wanting to ruin the other person’s life, giving it a depth that goes beyond a simple love song.

It is a gem of a track that quietly stands by the hearts of adults who carry the weight of family, work, and life itself.

Forget-me-not to youSugawara Yoichi

②_ Yoichi Sugawara Forget-me-not to You (with lyrics)

Celebrated as a masterpiece of Japanese lyric songs and cherished for many years, this work is a moving classic with a gentle melody and emotionally rich lyrics.

Yoichi Sugawara’s soft vocals tenderly convey an unwavering love for a beloved person.

Released in November 1971, the song appeared twice on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, capturing the hearts of many.

In music therapy sessions with older adults, its heartwarming lyrics and nostalgic melody can spark lively reminiscences.

It’s a song that naturally brings smiles—perfect for clapping along and humming together, or moving gently to its relaxed tempo.

The Sweet LifeNoguchi Goro

Amai Seikatsu

This masterpiece, depicting a couple’s cohabitation and eventual parting, was created by the duo of Rofu Yamagami (lyricist) and Kyohei Tsutsumi (composer) and brought to life by the vocals of Goro Noguchi.

Upon its release in October 1974, it reached No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Chart for the first time and went on to sell nearly 500,000 copies.

The work also earned Kyohei Tsutsumi the Composer’s Award at the 16th Japan Record Awards.

Goro Noguchi’s soaring vocals and the rich string arrangements weave a dramatic soundscape that will resonate as perfect BGM for an evening drive.

Goodbyeofukōsu

Sayonara

Off Course’s “Sayonara” is a classic that portrays the heartache of parting with a loved one and the resolve to move forward.

It’s a song that showcases Kazumasa Oda’s delicate expressiveness, and one of its charms is that listeners can interpret it in many ways.

Released in December 1979, it was created as the band was at the height of its popularity.

It’s a perfect track for people in their 70s to reminisce about youthful romance.

You can savor the complex emotions where loneliness intertwines with hope for the future.

airportTeresa Ten

airport

Teresa Teng’s “Airport” is a masterpiece that portrays a universally relatable and moving theme: parting from someone you love.

In the lyrics, the female protagonist realizes that the man she loves has another woman, and she chooses to step aside.

The song depicts her leaving him and setting off by plane to a distant town.

It’s a heartrending story, and some listeners may have experienced something similar themselves.

Since its release in 1974, it has continued to be loved by many, likely because of its deeply universal message.